Work in progress 'upgrades' to the model. I've decided to re-cycle the canopy from the prototype. With the clear canopy, It is easier to get the canopy shape correct to suit the depron. When I created the vac forming tool It was best estimate.

The plastic canopy on here is a bit of a work-in-progress with silver marker pen on it to help me highlight the final shape. It will look much better a little further down the line.....

This morning I applied some 0.6oz Super light fibreglass cloth to the underside of the nose and the belly around the intakes with water based Polyurethane varnish (matt). It was an experiment to test how much weight it added vs its usefulness as a depron protector.

Weight current 560g. I was a little shocked that it added 27g. I guess I was a bit heavy handed handed with the resin

it is however rock hard! and it has visually disappeared! I think this will be quite a useful thing to do on the EDF version, which needs to fly in with a bit of speed.

In hindsight, I would be a little more reserved with the resin.... next time!

Last night, I finished the underside with WPU/Spackling mixed. I also started experimenting with the right thinners for my cheap artists acrylics. I found that windolene (windex) did a remarkable job. My cheap airbrush I recently purchased, has a much larger nozzle and handled the thinned acrylic perfectly. I gave a light coat to the upper surface, but before I spray it properly, I'm still working on getting a decent join between my canopy and fuselage pieces, which I'm hoping to do tonight....

First few coats, a little sanding still required in places. I found that mixing 40% ethanol, 10% windex and 50% paint works well and dries quickly too. Canopy is just rested on top for now, I need to complete the cockpit

Just had a few moments to upload my finishing guide, its a work-in-progress, and I will substitute some of the proto-images when the gray ghost is complete- its about 60% complete, but I thought it might be of interest. Any thoughts or suggestions welcome...

I've currently finished my cockpit, all painted and decalled, and have glued my canopy down using hot melt glue. I've also masked the 'upper edge window frame' and applied filler to the edge between the canopy and fuselage get a really smooth transition between the fuselage and canopy - like the original.

I will upload photos when I have a few minutes...busy weekend lined up....

been a busy bee, but made some progress. I've finished painting it, and I'm applying decals and drawing panel lines over the next few days. I'll upload when finished so as not to spoil the final effect!!

Images

But noticed an oops with the markings. The stars and bars on the right side of the fuselage and the top of the wing are pointing the wrong way. The star top always points up, like on the left side. And on the wing, the top point always faces forward. Other than that it's absolutely beautiful.

Thank you all so much for your support and encouragement guys I really appreciate it. Next step is to repair the proto to complete the cg experiments which is well underway. I've also almost finished cutting another set of parts for the black widow edf version which I'm optimistically trying to complete before January. Will also take more pics of the ghost hopefully tommorrow when I finish the underside. Thanks again - can't wait to see the North American trials in spring